I'm another Thursday Failure too :. Mom wanted to take the kids shopping and asked if I wanted to go. DD really needs clothes as she is shooting up so tall and is outgrowing all her summer clothes. So I spent about $20 at the second hand store (I also got an educational game and a few books).

I should do better today. I need to get to the library and we're going to the IL's for supper tonight. I should be able to avoid any shopping today. I need to!!

June 1
June 2
June 3
June 4
June 5
June 6
June 7
June 8
June 9
June 10
June 11
June 12 :
June 13
June 14
June 15
June 16
June 17
June 18
June 19
June 20 :
June 21
June 22 :
June 23
June 24
June 25
June 26
June 27 :
June 28 :

Things went to hell in a handbasket for me yesterday too. I ordered two pairs of shoes for about $85, ate lunch out for about $12, then went thrifting (but only spent $5 and it was totally worth it for what I got). But I get paid today, and the new month starts on Sunday, and I just found out that my student loans are being deferred again b/c of my summer credit load, so all in all it's going to be fine.

I have to spend some money today. One of our computers at home is not working. I am going to take my computer friend to lunch and see if he can come over to fix it. This will save some money. I feel like this is not really necessary since we have two computers, but I like my mother to have her own computer (she lives with us). This way my kids are not always bugging her to play games and then mess up her room

I have to spend some money today. One of our computers at home is not working. I am going to take my computer friend to lunch and see if he can come over to fix it. This will save some money. I feel like this is not really necessary since we have two computers, but I like my mother to have her own computer (she lives with us). This way my kids are not always bugging her to play games and then mess up her room

I totally messed up today. My computer friend canceled lunch today, but is still coming to fox my computer tonight. I am going to take him to lunch next week instead. But I still went to lunch today with a coworker and bought both of our lunches (since I talked her into going with me)!!!! $30!!!! I do not have the money for this. I am so disgusted with myself. I did not bring any lunch to work, but I could have scrounged around and found enough to eat. I do have leftovers from today's lunch for tomorrow at least.

June 19: $65.52 2 bras on sale (needed b/c I don't have any that fit)and a hoodie on sale at Victorias Secret (didn't need)
June 20:
June 21: $13 on 2 bottles of 7th generation dish soap(on sale) and a deodorant crystal
June 22: $44.97 on gas
June 23: $65- dh bought a desk on craiglist(60) and a 35in. tv for 5 from his warehouse
June24: $4.36 METHOD wood polish
June 25: $13.39 on ebay, bought The Complete Edition of The Tightwad Gazette
June 26: $19.63 wedding gift, $6.53 on-sale OPI nail polish , newspaper subscription $22.23 for a year of Fri-Mon- trying to use more coupons!
June 27:
June 28:
June 29: $5 parking for school orientation

June 1:
June 2: $2.50 ATM fee, $39.21 dinner out
June 3: $7.02 pizza, $4.31 book for DD at airport
June 4:
June 5: $39.24 groceries
June 6:
June 7: $10 on trash p/u
June 8:
June 9:
June 10:
June 11: $125.48 for groceries; $20 tickets to see Dan Zanes - DD 3 is SO excited, should be a great show + benefits a local soup kitchen, so all good
June 12: $42.75 for gas, $3.50 for library fines
June 13:
June 14: $3 Father's Day gifts for DH + Step-father, $15-18 dinner out, $275 at Home Depot
June 15:
June 16: $142 on labor to assist w/ bathroom renovation
June 17:
June 18:
June 19: $75.41 on groceries, $20.34 at Home Depot
June 20: $20 gas, $80 labor for painting barn @ old house, $2.37 frosted animal crackers, $32.68 takeout pizza
June 21: Kiddie pool $9.99, library fines $8, coffee for DH $2, $12.34 processed snacks in Target food section, $7.99 lamp for DD's room, $2.34 shower liner, $8.27 shelf paper, $429 Dyson vacuum
June 22:
June 23: $148.74 groceries, $224 flooring installation, $25 CD + cute little canvas bag at Dan Zanes concert, $32.51 takeout lunch
June 24: $137.53 Home Depot, $17.97 shower curtains
June 25:
June 26: $26.67 at Target, $2.14 on ice cream cones, $4 library fines
June 27: $40.27 on gas, $7.88 snacky-groceries, $34.51 dinner out
June 28: $20.49 DD's vitamins, $41.43 other food at the co-op we did not actually NEED, but was on sale (16 oz. organic frozen veg for $1.79)/good buy (gal organic milk reduced to $1.99)/looked yummy (grapes, watermelon...)
June 29: $7.03 at Co-op (have a special request to bring carrot cake to a party Sat., needed to p/u carrots + canola - should have passed on the TLC crackers). Heard the siren call of Target + headed over there with the kids when we should have been getting ready for bed: $34.99 on microwave, $6.35 processed groceries

June to date: $210.42

Think our big gas savings from moving into town are going to be gobbled up by our increasingly frequent strolls to the co-op natural food store. MUST..work..on..this..in..July!

June 20:
June 21:
June 22:
June 23:
June 24: $33- needed groceries (used $ cashed in from change bowl)
June 25:
June 26: $19- fresh fruit (not budgeted for, but not a huge deal)
June 27:
June 28:
June 29:

Total spent: $52 all on food items, which is pretty good I guess.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crunchy*VT*Mom

Rebecca -- Stop being so hard on yourself. Spending money for food is necessary, even if it is food you could have survived without. Think of the money you will be saving on medical bills because your family is healthy and happy. You had an EXCELLENT week!

Thanks. I was just annoyed because I had planned on only spending the cash from our change bowl so we could work on building our bank account balance. I can get some organic fruit at a great price right now, so I'll make sure to include it in our weekly grocery budget.

My accomplishments for the month of June:

1) Stayed home more which helped curb spending, saved lots of gas and made us eat at home. Encouraged revisiting some projects around the house and I spent more time with the kids rather than running errands. I must admit I've been bored a bit at times though :

2) We ate only at home! This is a HUGE deal for me. I think spending only $52 on groceries and eating out of the pantry was pretty good too.

3) We've used up pantry items instead of buying more food, even when I had some friends and all their kids over yesterday (fed lunch to a total of 3 adults and 5 toddlers). I made up a big pot of black bean chili, brown rice, and some oatmeal cookies for incredibly cheap and didn't have to go to the store at all. I made use of all our leftovers this last week also.

3) I know exactly how much money is in our bank account and have a budget planned out for when DH gets paid on Monday. I must admit that I normally just have an "idea" of how much we have which makes it hard to keep track of what we spend. I'm loving being in tight control of our finances right now. It makes me feel like we will be able to meet our goal next year of moving to the country.

4) Switched to drinking water only between meals and made sure to bring drinks and snacks (fruit) when we have left the house. Also much healthier than going to Starbucks all the time too

5) Cutting our electricity and water consumption. I've gone around unplugging things, kept the lights off and tried to minimize our usage.

6) I actually feel much more calm about our finances right now. I was so depressed when I first posted to this thread and now I'm feeling really optimistic. I actually am looking forward to joining the July challenge.

Thanks so much for the support, it really has helped. I'll be joining the next challenge on Monday

July 1 I'm back on the wagon!! Can't wait to start posting with you guys! I think seeing it written down will help me tremendously!!

One question--are these lists just what you are spending or what SO is spending as well? Just that DH has the ability to tank my budget, and he's been gone but he'll be home the whole month of July so I hope he helps stick w/the budget.

June 1
June 2
June 3
June 4
June 5
June 6 $13-fabric & storage bins
June 7
June 8
June 9 $8 -Wendy's & pillowform
June 10
June 11
June 12
June 13
June 14
June 15
June 16 $19- Chinese food
June 17
June 18
June 19
June 20
June 21
June 22 $38 on a seafood dinner out
June 23
June 24
June 25
June 26
June 27
June 28
June 29 $55 paints & supplies for dd's room, $4 pillow form

Well, we spent but I am happy about it. DD is just SO excited about having her own room and had a blast picking out her very own wall color.

um, since I posted last night, I spent $207.50 All online. I bought my daughter all of her birthday presents, bought three birthday presents for three upcoming birthdays, and bought my son some stride rite shoes for the fall. Even though it was a BIG chunk of change, I got great deals on everything and shopped carefully and paid for it all with the debit card, NOT the credit card. I got wood unit blocks for $35 instead of $60 and new stride rite sneakers for $25 and a remo drum for $15 and a waldorf doll for $26! Everything was on-sale. So, it was a lot but I feel like I got a lot for the money and it was budgeted money. I have to buy two more birthday presents (for other people) this weekend. That means we can't spend money on other things this weekend, like take-out pizza.

I did resist drive-thrus all week. And today was REALLY hard because we were at our friend's house and she lives right next to the BEST fish taco place in all the city AND it's a drive thru. But, I resisted and my $10 weekly spending is still in my wallet.

June 1-
June 2-
June 3-
June 4- $30.41
June 5-
June 6-
June 7- $36.91
June 8- $85
June 9-
June 10- $14.46
June 11-
June 12- $70.77
June 13- $40
June 14-
June 15-
June 16- $20
June 17-
June 18-
June 19- $5
June 20- $13.82
June 21-
June 22-
June 23-
June 24-
June 25-
June 26- $3
June 27- $56.64
June 28-
June 29-

Stayed at home today since it was storming so badly outside. Makes it easier not to spend anything.

SO, as predicted I went to the movies today. It was the first time that I've been to a movie theatre since I was pregnant! Great movie...with a great friend. Before the movie we went and had a great lunch (and I had the leftovers for dinner, so it was worth it)

Tomorrow WILL be a good day! I'm doing some fundraising and then going over to a friend's house. I'm going to bring a couple water bottle full of ice, so I shouldn't even have to buy water.

I can't be bothered to put my list up again :. I was fine yesterday. I bought some things that were on my grocery list that I hadn't gotten to so it's another : for me. We will be going to the library today. They are having sidewalk sales downtown today that I am sooo tempted to go to, but I think I will wait for the big ones in July as they have stuff up to 90% and I don't think today's will be as good. I won't count today's before I earn it but if I do, it will be 25 thumbs for June for me!! Woo! I have to do good today

We went on a hike this morning and we're going to a dinner party this evening, so no opportunities to spend money today.

Total = 19 this month (tied my May record)
Total frivolous spending = About $100 more than May, so more...but if you don't count that $244 airline ticket then A LOT less. I think I'm getting the hang of this!

June 1
June 2
June 3
June 4
June 5
June 6 $13-fabric & storage bins
June 7
June 8
June 9 $8 -Wendy's & pillowform
June 10
June 11
June 12
June 13
June 14
June 15
June 16 $19- Chinese food
June 17
June 18
June 19
June 20
June 21
June 22 $38 on a seafood dinner out
June 23
June 24
June 25
June 26
June 27
June 28
June 29 $55 paints & supplies for dd's room, $4 pillow form
June 30

25 no spend days this month! $137 in unnecessary spending.

Today we painted dd's new room. It very, um...pink. She loves it! I am having a hard time not going out and buying all kinds of cute things for her new space but it can wait a bit.

June 1-
June 2-
June 3-
June 4- $30.41
June 5-
June 6-
June 7- $36.91
June 8- $85
June 9-
June 10- $14.46
June 11-
June 12- $70.77
June 13- $40
June 14-
June 15-
June 16- $20
June 17-
June 18-
June 19- $5
June 20- $13.82
June 21-
June 22-
June 23-
June 24-
June 25-
June 26- $3
June 27- $56.64
June 28-
June 29-
June 30-

24 no spend days for me : . Jenny, you beat me!! I had a "mama's too tired to make supper. Let's get some take out" day yesterday. So we spent about $13 on supper (whole chicken, taters, and two salads, yum!! I can barely buy a whole chicken that price anymore), DS needed sandals ($2), I needed zinc oxide cream and they had the good kind for $3, 29 cents for playguard on a DVD we got to rent for free and a couple bottles of pop, $1 each.

Blah!

At least I get to start the new month off with two non-spend days in a row for sure since today is Canada Day WOOO!!! And tomorrow everything is closed (so Canada can recover from celebrating Canada Day, lol!!!) Anyway, off to the new thread now

June 19: $65.52 2 bras on sale (needed b/c I don't have any that fit)and a hoodie on sale at Victorias Secret (didn't need)
June 20:
June 21: $13 on 2 bottles of 7th generation dish soap(on sale) and a deodorant crystal
June 22: $44.97 on gas
June 23: $65- dh bought a desk on craiglist(60) and a 35in. tv for 5 from his warehouse
June24: $4.36 METHOD wood polish
June 25: $13.39 on ebay, bought The Complete Edition of The Tightwad Gazette
June 26: $19.63 wedding gift, $6.53 on-sale OPI nail polish , newspaper subscription $22.23 for a year of Fri-Mon- trying to use more coupons!
June 27:
June 28:
June 29: $5 parking for school orientation
June 30:

TOTAL: 259.63
(partial month total, I joined late.)
This thread really allowed me to see where my money is going, next month I'm gonna crack down even harder.

Goals achieved:
~paid cash for emergency dental care
~paid cash for Car Insurance in one lump sum instead of spreading it out over the year (I want to lower our monthly bills)
~paid cash for Camping supplies
~paid cash for first round of car repairs
Yay! Even though I spent a bit much this month, I still reached my goals!

June 1:
June 2: $2.50 ATM fee, $39.21 dinner out
June 3: $7.02 pizza, $4.31 book for DD at airport
June 4:
June 5: $39.24 groceries
June 6:
June 7: $10 on trash p/u
June 8:
June 9:
June 10:
June 11: $125.48 for groceries; $20 tickets to see Dan Zanes - DD 3 is SO excited, should be a great show + benefits a local soup kitchen, so all good
June 12: $42.75 for gas, $3.50 for library fines
June 13:
June 14: $3 Father's Day gifts for DH + Step-father, $15-18 dinner out, $275 at Home Depot
June 15:
June 16: $142 on labor to assist w/ bathroom renovation
June 17:
June 18:
June 19: $75.41 on groceries, $20.34 at Home Depot
June 20: $20 gas, $80 labor for painting barn @ old house, $2.37 frosted animal crackers, $32.68 takeout pizza
June 21: Kiddie pool $9.99, library fines $8, coffee for DH $2, $12.34 processed snacks in Target food section, $7.99 lamp for DD's room, $2.34 shower liner, $8.27 shelf paper, $429 Dyson vacuum
June 22:
June 23: $148.74 groceries, $224 flooring installation, $25 CD + cute little canvas bag at Dan Zanes concert, $32.51 takeout lunch
June 24: $137.53 Home Depot, $17.97 shower curtains
June 25:
June 26: $26.67 at Target, $2.14 on ice cream cones, $4 library fines
June 27: $40.27 on gas, $7.88 snacky-groceries, $34.51 dinner out
June 28: $20.49 DD's vitamins, $41.43 other food at the co-op we did not actually NEED, but was on sale (16 oz. organic frozen veg for $1.79)/good buy (gal organic milk reduced to $1.99)/looked yummy (grapes, watermelon...)
June 29: $7.03 at Co-op (have a special request to bring carrot cake to a party Sat., needed to p/u carrots + canola - should have passed on the TLC crackers). Heard the siren call of Target + headed over there with the kids when we should have been getting ready for bed: $34.99 on microwave, $6.35 processed groceries
June 30: $5.50 groceries

June to date: $210.42

Just want to review June for my own records, and know what I want to beat in July:

10 days with "wish I hadn't" spending
20 days with spending within budget parameters +/or truly necessary